• Do you worry someone you know might be hurting themselves?
• Do you know someone who always wears long sleeves even in the warmest of weather?
• Have you seen marks on the skin that can't be explained? Such as scars, scratches, cuts or bruises?
• Do you know that someone is self harming and think if they cared about you they'd stop?

When somebody hurts themselves on purpose it is called self harm. Other terms sometimes used are - self injury, self mutilation, deliberate self harm or cutting. Self harm can be the reason behind someone wearing long sleeves in the summer and having unexplained marks on their body, but this can also be an indication of abuse or bullying. Please try to explore this option too. Remember there may be a fashion or cultural reason behind covering yourself up or this might be because of low self-esteem or negative body image. Use the following links to find out more:

What is self harm and why do people do it?

Causes of self harm

How you can help

Medical treatment of self harm and harm minimisation

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